Cypriots ready for Irish challenge

LITTLE-KNOWN Greek assistant manager Leonidas Demetrakopoulos will take charge of Cyprus against the Republic of Ireland in Nicosia tomorrow night.

Demetrakopoulos, 43, has been elevated because national team coach Angelos Anastasiades, is serving a one-match touchline ban after being sent off against Montenegro in June.

Demetrakopolous managed some modest club teams in Greece before joining Anastasiades as No. 2 five years ago. The pair were awarded new contracts by the Cyprus Football Federation in 2007.